How do I craft and use a pike for melee combat in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Crafting and using a pike for melee combat in ARK: Survival Evolved is a straightforward process, but it requires careful preparation and understanding of the game's mechanics. The pike is a mid-tier melee weapon that offers better range and damage compared to early-game tools like the spear, making it a valuable tool for both survival and combat. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and effectively use a pike, along with tips and considerations to maximize its utility.
To craft a pike, you first need to unlock its engram. The pike engram becomes available at level 25 and costs 12 engram points. Once unlocked, you can craft it at a Smithy or Fabricator. The resource requirements for crafting a pike are 20 metal ingots, 75 wood, and 35 fiber. Metal ingots are obtained by smelting metal ore in a forge, wood is gathered by chopping trees with a hatchet or pickaxe, and fiber is collected from bushes or plants. Ensure you have these resources ready before attempting to craft the pike.
Once crafted, the pike can be equipped in your hotbar for quick access. It has a longer reach than most melee weapons, allowing you to attack enemies from a safer distance. This is particularly useful when dealing with aggressive creatures like raptors or carnotaurus, as it reduces the risk of taking damage. The pike also deals decent damage, making it effective against both wildlife and other players in PvP scenarios. However, it has a slower attack speed compared to weapons like the sword, so timing your strikes is crucial.
When using the pike, positioning is key. Always try to maintain a safe distance from your target while attacking. This is especially important when facing larger predators like rexes or spinos, as their attacks can deal significant damage if you get too close. Use the pike's range to your advantage by keeping your distance and striking when the enemy is within reach. Additionally, the pike can be used to attack from behind obstacles like rocks or walls, allowing you to hit enemies without exposing yourself to danger.
One common mistake players make is overcommitting to attacks with the pike. Since it has a slower attack speed, spamming the attack button can leave you vulnerable to counterattacks. Instead, focus on timing your strikes and retreating if necessary. Another mistake is neglecting to repair the pike when its durability drops. Like all tools and weapons in ARK, the pike will degrade over time and eventually break if not repaired. Keep an eye on its durability and repair it using the required resources (metal ingots, wood, and fiber) to ensure it remains effective in combat.
Advanced techniques for using the pike include combining it with other tools and strategies. For example, you can use a bola to immobilize smaller creatures like raptors or humans, then finish them off with the pike. This is particularly effective in PvP scenarios, where immobilizing an opponent can give you a significant advantage. Additionally, using the pike in conjunction with a shield can provide extra protection while attacking. Equip a shield in your off-hand to block incoming attacks while striking with the pike in your main hand.
Resource management is also important when using the pike. Since it requires metal ingots to craft and repair, ensure you have a steady supply of metal ore. Taming a dinosaur like an Ankylosaurus can greatly improve your metal-gathering efficiency, as it can harvest large amounts of metal ore quickly. Similarly, using a beaver or mammoth for gathering wood can save time and effort, allowing you to focus on combat and survival.
In tribe settings, the pike can be a valuable tool for defending your base or raiding enemy structures. Coordinate with your tribe members to create a balanced team, with some players using ranged weapons like bows or firearms while others use melee weapons like the pike. This combination can be highly effective in both PvE and PvP scenarios. For solo players, the pike is a reliable weapon for defending against wildlife and exploring dangerous areas. Its range and damage make it a versatile tool for surviving in the wild.
Specific examples of using the pike include defending your base from a pack of raptors or fighting off a surprise attack from another player. In these scenarios, the pike's range and damage can help you fend off multiple attackers while minimizing the risk of taking damage. Another example is using the pike to hunt smaller creatures like dodos or dilophosaurs for food and resources. Its reach allows you to kill these creatures quickly and efficiently, ensuring you have a steady supply of meat and hide.
In conclusion, the pike is a versatile and effective melee weapon in ARK: Survival Evolved. By understanding its mechanics, crafting requirements, and optimal usage strategies, you can maximize its potential in both survival and combat scenarios. Whether you're playing solo or as part of a tribe, the pike is a valuable tool for defending yourself, hunting wildlife, and exploring the dangerous world of ARK.
To craft a pike, you first need to unlock its engram. The pike engram becomes available at level 25 and costs 12 engram points. Once unlocked, you can craft it at a Smithy or Fabricator. The resource requirements for crafting a pike are 20 metal ingots, 75 wood, and 35 fiber. Metal ingots are obtained by smelting metal ore in a forge, wood is gathered by chopping trees with a hatchet or pickaxe, and fiber is collected from bushes or plants. Ensure you have these resources ready before attempting to craft the pike.
Once crafted, the pike can be equipped in your hotbar for quick access. It has a longer reach than most melee weapons, allowing you to attack enemies from a safer distance. This is particularly useful when dealing with aggressive creatures like raptors or carnotaurus, as it reduces the risk of taking damage. The pike also deals decent damage, making it effective against both wildlife and other players in PvP scenarios. However, it has a slower attack speed compared to weapons like the sword, so timing your strikes is crucial.
When using the pike, positioning is key. Always try to maintain a safe distance from your target while attacking. This is especially important when facing larger predators like rexes or spinos, as their attacks can deal significant damage if you get too close. Use the pike's range to your advantage by keeping your distance and striking when the enemy is within reach. Additionally, the pike can be used to attack from behind obstacles like rocks or walls, allowing you to hit enemies without exposing yourself to danger.
One common mistake players make is overcommitting to attacks with the pike. Since it has a slower attack speed, spamming the attack button can leave you vulnerable to counterattacks. Instead, focus on timing your strikes and retreating if necessary. Another mistake is neglecting to repair the pike when its durability drops. Like all tools and weapons in ARK, the pike will degrade over time and eventually break if not repaired. Keep an eye on its durability and repair it using the required resources (metal ingots, wood, and fiber) to ensure it remains effective in combat.
Advanced techniques for using the pike include combining it with other tools and strategies. For example, you can use a bola to immobilize smaller creatures like raptors or humans, then finish them off with the pike. This is particularly effective in PvP scenarios, where immobilizing an opponent can give you a significant advantage. Additionally, using the pike in conjunction with a shield can provide extra protection while attacking. Equip a shield in your off-hand to block incoming attacks while striking with the pike in your main hand.
Resource management is also important when using the pike. Since it requires metal ingots to craft and repair, ensure you have a steady supply of metal ore. Taming a dinosaur like an Ankylosaurus can greatly improve your metal-gathering efficiency, as it can harvest large amounts of metal ore quickly. Similarly, using a beaver or mammoth for gathering wood can save time and effort, allowing you to focus on combat and survival.
In tribe settings, the pike can be a valuable tool for defending your base or raiding enemy structures. Coordinate with your tribe members to create a balanced team, with some players using ranged weapons like bows or firearms while others use melee weapons like the pike. This combination can be highly effective in both PvE and PvP scenarios. For solo players, the pike is a reliable weapon for defending against wildlife and exploring dangerous areas. Its range and damage make it a versatile tool for surviving in the wild.
Specific examples of using the pike include defending your base from a pack of raptors or fighting off a surprise attack from another player. In these scenarios, the pike's range and damage can help you fend off multiple attackers while minimizing the risk of taking damage. Another example is using the pike to hunt smaller creatures like dodos or dilophosaurs for food and resources. Its reach allows you to kill these creatures quickly and efficiently, ensuring you have a steady supply of meat and hide.
In conclusion, the pike is a versatile and effective melee weapon in ARK: Survival Evolved. By understanding its mechanics, crafting requirements, and optimal usage strategies, you can maximize its potential in both survival and combat scenarios. Whether you're playing solo or as part of a tribe, the pike is a valuable tool for defending yourself, hunting wildlife, and exploring the dangerous world of ARK.